While UFC Vegas 94 featured a collision of top-five strawweights, the card also featured three Korean fighters in the UFC Apex.
Originally slated to boast a co-main event of Park Jun Young vs. Brad Tavares, Park pulled out the day before the event due to a medical issue. The card proceeded on with three Koreans- all featherweights- against American opponents.
Here's how they fared:
Lee Jeong Young vs. Hyder Amil
In a fight that had violence written all over it, Daegu's Lee Jeong Young fought San Francisco's Hyder Amil at featherweight.
Lee opened the fight with a high kick, and the two fighters immediately began trading punches with an insanity that chucked personal defense to the curb, not unlike the opening of Clay Guida vs. Diego Sanchez. While Lee appeared to have a bit of the power advantage, the speed and accuracy of Amil quickly overcame the South Korean. As the punches kept flowing, Lee was quickly wilting under the damage done by the hands of Amil. At just under a minute in the first round, referee Mark Smith warned Lee to fight back to avoid a stoppage.
While Lee would not fully give out, the fight came to an end at 1:05 of the first round, awarding the win to Hyder Amil by standing TKO. The promising Korean featherweight had suffered his first UFC defeat, falling to 11-2, while Hyder Amil kept his perfect record intact at 10-0.
Choi Doo Ho vs. Bill Algeo
The second Korean to compete on the night was Busan’s “Korean Superboy”, Choi Doo Ho, fighting America’s Bill Algeo.
Choi was without a win since 2016, over eight years. However, Choi looked good to start the fight, attempting and taking Algeo to the ground. A guillotine choke and rear naked choke never entered the danger zone, but gave Algeo reason to hesitate when pursuing the takedown. After Choi slipped off the back of his opponent, Algeo then took the advantageous position and wrestled Choi against the cage. A savage spinning elbow from Algeo hardly phased Choi, despite being forced to defend Algeo’s wrestling attack. To the end the round, Choi threatened once again with the guillotine choke.
The second round began with a prolonged striking display between the two, with Choi finding the mark with low kicks and counter punches. Algeo continued his spinning attacks and attempted to wrestle Choi to the ground once again. However, Choi was ready for the wrestling of Algeo, tossing him to the ground, throwing knees, and once again attempting the guillotine as his opponent shot low. As the two fighters broke away from each other, a one-two combination from Choi visibly damaged Algeo, opening up a cut over his right eye.
However, the key moment came as Algeo spun for an elbow, and Choi responded with a massive left hook that appeared to damage the eye of Algeo. After a moment, Algeo winced and crumbled to the ground, and Herb Dean stepped in to stop the fight at 3:38 of round two. Choi Doo Ho (15-4-1) was officially back in the win column after multiple losses, a draw, a long layoff, and the Korean Zombie product was visibly shook with emotion.
Bill Algeo dropped to 18-9, losing two straight for the first time in his career.
Choi Seung Woo vs. Steve Garcia
The last Korean to fight of the evening was Gangnam's Choi Seung Woo fighting American Steve Garcia in the co-main event. After a brief period of clinching, the two traded hands, with Steve Garcia, wobbling and then knocking down Choi with a left hook.
From there, the punches weren’t slowing down, and referee Herb Dean called the fight at 1:36 of the first round. It was Choi's fourth loss in five fights (dropping to 11-7) and the surging Garcia's fourth straight win by knockout or TKO- improving his record to 16-5.
Full results for UFC Vegas 94 / UFC Fight Night: Lemos vs. Jandiroba are below.
UFC FIGHT NIGHT: LEMOS VS. JANDIROBA RESULTS (UFC VEGAS 94)
Virna Jandiroba def. Amanda Lemos via Submission (Armbar) at 4:48 of R2
Steve Garcia def. Choi Seung Woo via TKO (Punches) at 1:36 of R1
Kurt Holobaugh def. Kaynan Kruschewsky via Unanimous Decision
Bruno Silva def. Cody Durden via TKO (Uppercut to Ground Strikes) at 2:58 of R2
Choi Doo Ho def. Bill Algeo via TKO (Left Hook) at 3:38 of R2
Hyder Amil def. Lee Jeong Young via TKO (Punches) at 1:05 of R1
Cody Gibson def. Brian Kelleher via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) at 3:58 of R1
Miranda Maverick def. Dione Barbosa via Unanimous Decision
Trey Ogden def. Loik Radzhabov via Unanimous Decision
Luana Carolina def. Lucie Pudilova via Unanimous Decision
Thomas Petersen def. Mohammed Usman via Unanimous Decision
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